Happy New Year and My “One Word” for 2021

Happy 2021! After such a challenging 2020, it’s wonderful to have a fresh start.

But it’s already been a rough start to the new year, Now what?

Fret not. God is still in Control. He is still on the throne. Nothing surprises Him.

Since we’ll still face challenges this year, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

That leads me to my “One Word” for this year. My one word is actually two words this year:

STAND FIRM

At a time when everything around us that can be shaken is being shaken, it’s critical for Christ to be our firm foundation. We need to stand firm in our faith and to remain rooted and ground in Christ so we can stand when the storms come.

I’d like to share 7 Bible verses that come to mind when I think of standing firm and being rooted and grounded in Christ. May these verses encourage you at the start of this year. I have bolded a few words for emphasis:

  1. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13 NIV)
  2. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord ,and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)
  3. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17: 7-8 NIV)
  4. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV)
  5. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV)
  6. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV)
  7. “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.'” (Psalm 92:12-15 NIV)

May Jesus be your firm foundation this year and beyond.

I’m looking forward to continuing to encourage you this year as you stand firm in your faith.

If you need help staying rooted and grounded in Christ, keep reading your Bible and praying.

Here are 5 additional ideas to consider:

  • Read through the empowering and encouraging 365-day devotional Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day and Abounding Faith’s other inspiring and Bible-based books available on Amazon.
  • Consider signing up for individual life coaching sessions that will encourage and equip you as you walk by faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams.
  • Listen to the uplifting Abounding Faith for Today podcast.
  • Check out Abounding Faith’s inspiring YouTube Channel.
  • Connect with Abounding Faith on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Because Jesus lives, we can rejoice today and smile as we look ahead to what’s ahead in 2021. Blessings!

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™